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Lakewood schools' levies moved from February to April ballots

LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood School District's two levies that had been slated for the Feb. 14 ballot are instead expected to appear on the April 17 ballot.

Last year, the Lakewood School District Board of Directors authorized placing two measures on the Feb. 14 ballot — Proposition One, the replacement school programs and operations levy, and Proposition Two, the capital projects and technology levy — but according to Lakewood School District Superintendent Dr. Dennis Haddock, the records of the Snohomish County Auditor's Office don't reflect any receipt of the Board's resolutions, which were required to be received by a certain date for those measures to be placed on the Feb. 14 ballot. As such, Haddock will be recommending to the Board that both propositions be placed on the April 17 ballot.

"We followed our regular mailing procedures," Haddock said. "Because we didn't send it certified mail, we don't have any confirmation. We'll be doing that this time."

Haddock explained that this unexpected turn of events should actually benefit the Lakewood School District in a few ways, not in the least because moving the two levies onto the April 17 ballot will allow voters in the school district to focus more on those levies, and the district itself to keep an eye on the latest developments in Olympia that might impact those levies.

"By deferring this to a later date, we can be more watchful of the Legislative activity that might be affecting our revenues," Haddock said. "The governor is focusing on budget reductions for the state, but she's also looking into areas of revenue as well. That additional time allows us to factor in revenue from other sources, and to check what's going on in education funding in general."

Haddock also looks forward to having two more months to inform voters about the propositions before their ballots are due.

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